Dell Mini 5 gets FCC approval again, this time with T-Mobile flavoring

Whether it's branded the Mini 5, the Streak, the Streak 5, or something else entirely, we can say with certainty that Dell's going to be hitting the Android market hard in 2010 -- but we didn't realize it'd be hitting this hard. It looks like the company might be taking a tack similar to Google's with the Nexus One, because a second variant of product code M01M just garnered FCC approval -- this time featuring WCDMA Band IV in place of Bands II and V, which means it'll work on T-Mobile's airwaves instead of AT&T's. In lieu of a carrier deal, could Dell be looking to blow this out on as many carriers as it possibly can? We hope so -- as long as our wallets can stomach the unsubsidized hit.

[juanvaldez Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:20PM]

Android + ATT FTL, TMO FTW

[starkruzr Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:24PM]

@juanvaldez This.

I've had a Nexus One on T-Mobile for two months now and will never look back to the iPhone 3GS I sold for it. T-Mobile has great customer service and their 3G network is reliable and fast.

[starkruzr Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:25PM]

@juanvaldez (And they don't shit up their phones with crippling and branding.)

[N900 Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:25PM]

@juanvaldez Hopefully, those dirty, ad-rebranded ATT hands won't lay a hand on that firmware!

[KMac007 Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:28PM]

@N900 I agree...still waiting for this device and hoping that it will not be treated like the rest of ATT's android offerings!

[alexhuaxie Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:39PM]

Can't agree more.@starkruzr

[victor Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:39PM]

@KMac007 I'm almost guessing that at&t isn't willing to play nice; as much as Dell wants to sell to them. Hence, T-mo bands

[slipdisc Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:21PM]

The mini 5 seems to be a very interesting device. But I don't think I would switch carriers to use it.

[Engadgeteeer Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:44PM]

@slipdisc Definitely not a carrier-switching, wallet killing device!

I don't understand why they can't shove in both ATT/TMo bands in phones?! Not fair for them to play with people's wallets!

[uansari1 Posted Apr 19th 2010 3:06PM]

@Engadgeteeer The two antennas would interfere with each other.

[IVER23 Posted Apr 19th 2010 5:11PM]

@uansari1 I understand that point, but if android phones can turn off gps, wifi, and 3G ... why can't they turn on/off the extra antenna at the users or carriers request?

Ps- I ask this knowing full well it may be a ridiculous question with an obvious answer only I can't see.

[Hexydes Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:22PM]

I can't wait for this thing. It's everything I've wanted in a portable computer + personal communication device.

[Nick Brown Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:25PM]

This or EVO? I think ill take the super ridiculous 5" please.

[tad604 Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:30PM]

@Nick Brown I'm on t-mobile so no evo (unless they change the availability). I'm curious how the mini 5 stacks up against the Evo. though. My G1 is starting to feel old.

[shanoboy Posted Apr 19th 2010 6:15PM]

@tad604 I've had a MyTouch 3G only for the 6 months or so its been around and it already feels ancient. The G1 must feel like something Fred Flintstone used to chisel out text messages on!

[r00tcause Posted Apr 19th 2010 6:43PM]

@Nick Brown

I am undecided. I am currently rocking an HD2 but am considering an EVO and a Dell Mini. I live in a 4G area so I'd like to see a Dell Mini with 4G...

[Nick Brown Posted Apr 19th 2010 8:14PM]

@r00tcause good point. I live in a 4g area too which suddenly makes the EVO the front runner.

[Down8 Posted Apr 19th 2010 8:55PM]

@tad604
I agree completely!

TMo's CSRs are great, the service is cheap, and depending on your location, the service is fast & reliable.

It sucks on cross-country trips, however, here in CA, I'm covered just fine.

-bZj

[dansus Posted Apr 20th 2010 11:02PM]

@Down8

I got so lucky today, driving round the sticks, i noticed a lone cell tower all by itself in the middle of nowhere, it gave me the best signal and speed for years.

Its amazing how fast 3G goes when there isnt loads of users on it, latency was awesome too.

[Taylor Yes Taylor Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:26PM]

I have the feeling they're doing this after realizing how cold ATT is being with android. They still don't offer a subsidy for the Nexus One!
-Taylor

[N900 Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:32PM]

@Taylor Yes Taylor Isn't that a boatload of Irony? The only Android UTMS for ATT to not get the reverse-Midas touch is the most expensive.

[Taylor Yes Taylor Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:37PM]

@N900 I'm not sure I follow you. If by the "reverse midas touch" you mean a subsidy discount, then it would stand to reason that its the most expensive... because there's no discount.

Or what did you mean?
-Taylor

[N900 Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:42PM]

@Taylor Yes Taylor No No, the reverse Midas touch is that crappy firmware revision seen on the Aero and Backflip.

[Engadgeteeer Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:46PM]

@Taylor I feel the same too! Dell must have approached AT&T and they must have showed them the a$$ citing A$$le's interest! No wonder TMo may get this device first!

[Taylor Yes Taylor Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:47PM]

@N900
Ah... That might have been a bit of a stretch. ;)

But yeah, thank god they didn't get their hands on the Nexus One!

[Steve Miller Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:28PM]

Ohhh man...looks like someone is trying to crush the comp!

[eminisp Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:29PM]

Can someone please tell me when there will be a Dell mini with WP7?!?!?!??! Carrier doesnt matter to me.

I want to knock 1 bird with 2 stones.

1. Tablet (archos 5 is getting old)
2. phone capabilities.

Android is great but c'mon Dell. Windows 7 has treated you good lately and now its time to return the favor with some WP7 goodness. The closest thing to a Windows Tablet.

[JW Posted Apr 20th 2010 1:24AM]

@eminisp
Never.

[John Doe Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:31PM]

Mini 5 = Win
T Mobile's 3G network = Fail


And this is coming from a T Mobile user, BTW. I'm so dumping their *** in November when my contract is up.

[Anthony2612 Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:42PM]

@John Doe

I guess it depends where you live. Here in Chicago:

Tmobile 3G = FTW

[The Stig Posted Apr 19th 2010 3:33PM]

@Anthony2612

+1 for Chicago T-Mobile 3G, it has a pretty good range, even reaches here in DeKalb!

[blindguymcsqueezy Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:34PM]

This is going to make a great tablet/home phone device.

[Engadgeteeer Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:40PM]

I am repeatedly confused with Dell Streak and Dell's marketing strategy!

[Bocefuss4500 Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:40PM]

i wish they would just finally give a price and release date .... if i wait much longer going to go with something else .....

[scoobydooby Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:41PM]

Will buy.

[Michael Pollard Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:43PM]

Here it comes -- boogity, boogity...
There it goes -- boogity, boogity...
And it ain't wearing no carrier customizations...

I like my devices to have dedicated number keys on the keyboards, thank you very much AT&T. And I'm not going to watch your extra-cost TV programming anyway.

[inspiron41 Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:48PM]

i use tmobile 3g network and it works great in my ny area. i dont know whether i will buy this device till i see other android devices. but i do like the fact that it's on tmobile network. it'll give me options

[Anthony2612 Posted Apr 19th 2010 4:54PM]

@inspiron41

I'm hoping the Galaxy S rumor to Tmo is true, so we can actually decide between 2 powerhouse Android phones and not be stuck with a Winmo 6.5 phone. :(

[viper24 Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:49PM]

YESSSS

bringeth me thine mini fiveee

[NYNY Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:57PM]

Nice, like having the option of getting it with whatever carrier. Really looking forward to this now.

[harajuka Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:57PM]

Oh man this is great news for me!!! I went from a HD2 (garbage) to a Nexus one this month, looks like I will be switching to a Mini 5 when it comes out!!

[xanavi Posted Apr 19th 2010 2:59PM]

YES, this is in the running for my next device again!

I get fab TMO3G around Milwaukee, and im not in a contract, so the MT3G from craigslist is on its way out!

I can choose ANY phone! YAY!

[weststander Posted Apr 19th 2010 3:01PM]

Launch soon or fail. Your move Dell.

[Aegee14 Posted Apr 19th 2010 3:06PM]

Can you really lug this thing around everyday, everywhere? I like the idea, but it's soo big as a phone.

[pika2000 Posted Apr 19th 2010 3:14PM]

*sigh. Is it really impossible to support quad band UMTS?

[IVER23 Posted Apr 19th 2010 5:23PM]

@pika2000
yes!! I was starting to think I was the only one asking this question. What the hell do we have inventors for if they can't solve the problem? After all, they did it with gsm frequencies.

[shizbgby Posted Apr 19th 2010 3:21PM]

Woot, I was looking for a new phone to buy to replace my CLIQ. It is a nice phone but I am getting sick of the constant issues I am having.

[S3RG10 Posted Apr 19th 2010 3:32PM]

This HAS to drop soon, otherwise iPhone will kill it.Which may make the prices drop, hmmm.

[BMills Posted Apr 19th 2010 3:36PM]

@S3RG10

I agree, the hype machine for the iPhone HD is in full swing now after this past weekend.

I'm just along for the ride.

There are going to be some interesting sales numbers this year.

Literally everyone that currently has an iPhone 3G, and hasn't already jumped ship from AT&T will want the new iPhone.

[bachviet Posted Apr 19th 2010 3:54PM]

Definitely looking forward for this. Hopefully it will be released soon. I rid of all my phones and go back to my UMA-capable BB 8900. I wan to try out the HD2 but it's not available as of right now.